Injury news: will Jonny Evans be fit for Leicester’s crucial UEL clash?
By Damon Carter
Brendan Rodgers has given an update on the fitness of Northern-Irish international Jonny Evans, prior to a key Europa league game for Leicester City against Braga.
With Leicester City sitting second in the Premier League and joint top of the Europa League Group G, things are looking rosy at the King Power Stadium.
The real head scratcher for many Leicester fans is how this is being achieved with a squad stretched to the limit due to a horrendous run of injuries. Blue Army fans have got used to being without Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Caglar Soyuncu. But more recently they have had to add Timothy Castagne and the experienced Jonny Evans to their headaches.
Despite being 50/50, foxes boss Brendan Rodgers wisely left Jonny Evans out of Monday’s thrilling 4-1 demolition of Leeds United to allow him some extra days to recover. With the attention now turning to Portuguese outfit Sporting Braga’s visit to Leicester, Evans appears to be very much touch and go, according to Rodgers as revealed by BBC Sport.
Rodgers says Jonny Evans is likely to be a "big doubt" for tomorrow's game.
— BBC Sport Leicester (@BBCRLSport) November 4, 2020
"It's a part of his back that could click in later on, or tomorrow. He's still feeling pain from it. Jonny's the type of player to play through, but it's an injury that affects his movement patterns". pic.twitter.com/DqLC4TS0qi
The interesting element that Rodgers revealed is that the centre-back is the type of player to play through a problem for the good of the team. But by suggesting it affects his ‘movement patterns’ means that it would be a risk to both the long term fitness of his key defender. Without Evans being able to perform to his maximum, the side would be impacted.
He struggled in both the West Ham and Aston villa games and the 32-year-old certainly didn’t seem to be moving comfortably. With Evans picking up injuries from international duty as well and the squad stretched to the maximum, it does fuel speculation that he may have already been playing despite issues this season.
With Leicester sitting comfortably in Group G, it does pose the question as to where the priorities might lie for the manager at this stage of the season. A win against Braga will all but confirm qualification, a draw is a step in the right direction and a defeat is never welcomed but would still see Leicester at worst three points clear in second place.
My guess will be that the centre-half won’t be considered worth the risk for the UEL. But he’ll be getting prepped to line up alongside 19-year-old Wesley Fofana for the Wolverhampton Wanderers game on Sunday.
There are definitely questions to ask of Leicester City as to how the injury situation doesn’t seem to be easing. Has Dave Rennie’s departure compounded the problem? Were there issues with the way players were being managed through injuries? Why is it when players are back injuries flare up almost immediately – James Maddison, Daniel Amartey?
What isn’t in question is how Rodgers and his coaching staff have balanced the situation on the field. Seven wins from ten in all competitions whilst missing key players throughout is nothing short of remarkable. Especially when you consider the psychological effects of missing out on a seemingly ‘nailed-on’ Champions league place was still fresh in their minds.
Hot. Fofana makes Most Valuable list. light
But how long can Leicester’s good form succeed without key players?